Making its VOLTA debut, Nuweland Gallery cultivates the growth and development of South Africa based artists. The works of Morné Visagie, Sanell Aggenbach, Pierre Fouché are visceral in the rich textures inherent to their respective techniques and contemplate elements of the natural world.
Sanell Aggenbach, “New Order no.17,” 2021
Oil on Paper (framed)
100 x 70 cm
Image Courtesy of Sanell Aggenbach

Oil on Paper (framed)
(Detail View)
100 x 70 cm
Image Courtesy of Sanell Aggenbach

Oil on Paper (framed)
(Detail View)
100 x 70 cm
Image Courtesy of Sanell Aggenbach

Oil on Paper (framed)
(Detail View)
100 x 70 cm
Image Courtesy of Sanell Aggenbach
How does the philosophy of your gallery align with the vision of VOLTA?
For this to answer we should actually step back to the first initial idea to starting our gallery. This happened when lived in Cape Town and discovered the vibrant and dynamic art scene of South Africa. We experienced this as a genuine discovery. Working and living in Cape Town and connecting with its community we immediately felt the urge to try and share what we found within Europe. So to track back from VOLTA’s mission on “Discover,” “Connect,” and “Collect,” we believe that art is a bridge that eradicates cultural divides and combats isolation. Art is a conductor, allowing energy to flow from one place to another. Through art, Nuweland seeks to stimulate cultural growth, evolution and change.

6mm Polyester Corded Rope
4.5m x 1.48m
Multiple II
Image Courtesy of Pierre Fouché

(Detail View)
6mm Polyester Corded Rope
4.5m x 1.48m
Multiple II
Image Courtesy of Pierre Fouché

Mercerised Cotton, Silk & Wood
120 x 60 x 1 cm
Image Courtesy of Pierre Fouché

Mercerised Cotton, Silk & Wood
120 x 60 x 1 cm
Image Courtesy of Pierre Fouché

(Detail View)
Mercerised Cotton, Silk & Wood
120 x 60 x 1 cm
Image Courtesy of Pierre Fouché
Is this your first year exhibiting with VOLTA? If so, what are you most looking forward to?
Yes, this will be our first time participating at VOLTA Basel. We are looking forward to step into a new world, a bigger world, one of the centers of the art world. Participating at VOLTA is a great opportunity to present our artist that we feel very confident about. Especially after such a long time of no physical art fairs taking place.

Pastel on Graphite on Paper
105 x 79cm
Image Courtesy of Morné Visagie

Individual Oil-Based Monotypes on Paper and Brass
156 x 139.5 cm
Multiple 2 of 2
Image Courtesy of Morné Visagie

Pastel on Graphite on Paper
105 x 79
Image Courtesy of Morné Visagie
In what ways did your gallery change over the past year? How did you maintain a connection with your collectors and artists? Will these changes remain a part of your gallery moving forward?
During the course of the pandemic we took the opportunity to get in conversation with our artists. During this process we have re-established our mission and vision of our gallery. This has led to our new gallery manifest. We have managed to work on our foundation in the form of a new website which allows us to have a broader archival documentation opportunity. Through these conversation we also were able to achieve a better understanding of our role as gallerists towards Southern African artists. And the function we could have in the bigger African contemporary art constellation. This has resulted into an artist- in-residence program in our gallery which is located on the countryside in the north of the Netherlands. We have been able to create a studio space where we can invite artists to spend time to work or do research. This brings it back to art is a bridge. We aim to be a safe haven for artists. We can definitely say that our connection and bond with our artists has strengthened due to this Covid period. On the flip side, as a young gallery we did get hindered in our momentum of reaching new collectors. Luckily we have been able to connect ourselves to online art platforms. But needless to say, the physical connection with collectors has been a challenge.

Oil on Belgian Linen + Bronze Arrows
214 x 174 cm
Image Courtesy of Sanell

(Detail View)
Oil on Belgian Linen + Bronze Arrows
214 x 174 cm
Image Courtesy of Sanell
Featured Image:
Sanell Aggenbach,” New Order no.16,” 2021
Oil on Paper (framed)
100 x 70 cm
Image Courtesy of Sanell Aggenbach